BEST BOOK OF POETRY IN A PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE OTHER THAN HILIGAYNON OR KINARAY-A
KUNDIMAN SA GITNA NG KARIMLAN
E. SAN JUAN

LANGUAGE Filipino

ISBN 978-971-542-734-0

PUBLISHER CONTACT DETAILS
Jose Neil Garcia, Director
The University of the Philippines Press
I. Delos Reyes Street, Diliman, Quezon City

T (63) (917) 805 6547
E [email protected]

Language is an intense battlefield of class, power, and the different sectors of a society in every period of history. The framework and process that shape the “terms” are rooted in the reader’s/audience’s mode of interpellation so that s/he becomes either a subject of the ruling class or one who challenges or struggles against it. As such, the creative arts are political weapons in the ideological battlefield. This is the basis of the poems included in this collection: art for whom? The poet believes that writings in the progressive movement are a step toward the achievement of democracy. The author hopes that any subject or theme, style or structure, metaphor or symbol, can be used to get involved or participate in deciding who—global capitalist/imperialist or the national proletariat/natives—will come out the winner in the end. This is an intervention toward the remaking of history. The book intends to help in the achievement of freedom, prosperity, justice, and dignity of every person in the nation and in the whole world. May it reach all who are ready to fight.